Waste Prevention at Home

What is Waste Prevention?

Waste prevention (also known as source reduction) means to reduce the amount of solid waste generated or resources used without increasing toxicity in the design, manufacture, purchase, or use of products and packaging. IT IS NOT recycling, although these two solid waste management strategies are often confused with each other. Recycling is an effective way to manage waste materials once they have been generated; waste prevention actually reduces the amount of material used and therefore the amount discarded.

Did You Know?

• Oregonians generate 6 pounds of waste per person everyday (4 pounds are thrown away and 2 pounds are recycled). That's more than 3.6 million tons in a year.
• 4 cents of every dollar Americans spend on goods goes to packaging, $225 per person per year or $75 a month for a family of four.
• Americans discard annually 183 million razors, 2.7 billion batteries, 140 million cubic meters of Styrofoam "packing peanuts," 350 million pressurized paint cans, plus enough paper and plasticware to serve the world a picnic every other month.

Here's What You Can Do...

• Simplify your life. Think about what you enjoy doing most. Often, the things we cherish most in life aren't for sale. Spend time discovering "low-tech" recreation: taking a walk, gardening, visiting friends, and stopping to "smell the roses."
• Think before you buy. How many times a day do you think about something you want to buy? We are encouraged daily with flashy enticements to buy products we don't always need. Buying things we don't really need can be expensive and clutter up your home.
• Buy in bulk or "value-pack" sizes: You can save a bundle by buying in bulk. Some products are not available in bulk but might come in a large container or in a concentrate. You can save an average of 52% off the price of a heavily packaged product this way.
• Purchase products that are durable and won't break easily. Look for warranties, ask if the product can be repaired, and/or find out which product is rated highest in Consumer Reports.
• Pack your lunch in reusable containers. Why spend money buying plastic and paper bags, aluminum foil, or wax paper? You can save money on your purchases and save money on your garbage bill by using containers over and over again.
• Purchase reusable products. More and more of the products we buy are made to be used only once. That's not very efficient. Look for refillable pens, lighters, real cameras, and cloth napkins and towels.
• Repair broken or torn things. It is fun and satisfying to fix things when they break. You'll save money, resources, and a trip to the store.
• Give gifts that are resource efficient. An energy efficient lightbulb, a fancy lunchbox, a wrapped box that can be used over and over again. Give an experience instead of "stuff," like a trip to the beach, a memorable event, or a hand-made gift.
• Reduce the amount of unwanted mail you receive. Ask to be removed from mailing lists you don't want to be on. You can call the company's 1-800 number if there is one, or if the mailing includes a reply envelope use it to mail a request to be removed from the mailing list. You can also write to the Direct Mail Marketing Association at P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735 and ask to be taken off of their master list.

You Can Make a Difference. Consider This...

If just 100 people stopped using paper cups every day and carried a reusable mug, collectively they would save the resources it takes to make 50,000 disposable cups a year.

Waste Prevention in Business

Paper, Paper Everywhere!

Using less paper is the easiest and most important step you can take to protect the environment, and it will usually save you money. Using less paper also means you'll have less to buy, store, file, or recycle after you've used it.

You can also download  a green font that uses up to 20% less ink. Free to download, free to use.

Reduce!

• Use routing slips to share documents rather than copying them.
• Copy and print on both sides of the page ("duplex"). Put a reminder sign by the copy machine.
• Use electronic mail and voice mail.
• Don't use fax cover sheets unless absolutely necessary.
• Install software for paperless faxing via your modem.
• Use your word processor's Spell Check and Print Preview functions to check spelling, layout, and page breaks before printing a job.
• Design mailers which avoid the use of envelopes (fold and staple the paper).
• Allow internal documents to be circulated with legible minor hand corrections rather than retyping drafts.

Reuse!

Reuse is using something again, the way it was intended to be used the first time around. Reuse can reduce both waste generation and disposal rates.

• Collect paper that has been used on one side and reuse as draft paper or scratch pads.
• Use outdated letterhead for inhouse memos.
• Purchase mugs with your company logo on them for the employees to use rather than paper cups.
• Set aside an area where you can store reuseable shipping items such as boxes, packing peanuts, and bubble wrap.
• Ask vendors to take back packaging. In some cases they may be able to reuse it.
• Donate reuseable items you no longer need to non-profit groups or schools.

Recycle!

Recycling your paper is an easy way to conserve energy, save landfill space and reduce your disposal cost. Call your local solid waste hauler to find out about their business recycling program.

• Buy paper that you can recycle. Avoid goldenrod, neon and dark colors that may not be recyclable in your area.
• Make recycling easy for staff and patrons. Provide recycling bins that fit on or under a desk.
• Place clearly labeled recycle bins near copiers, printers, and shipping and recieving areas. Make recycling easier than throwing it away!
• Monitor recycling bins for contaminants on a regular basis. Post reminders of "do's and don'ts" when needed.
• Print directly on envelopes rather than using labels.

The success of a waste reduction, reuse and recycling program hinges on the participation and support of employees, managers, and even customers. It involves rethinking the way we do things and changing old habits. This is not easy, but the rewards abound as resources and money are saved!

 From Jackson County Recycling Partnership